System for generating gas from liquefied gas



p 1941- w. H. GRINDLE 2,256,591

SYSTEM FOR GENERATING GAS FROM LIQUEFIED GAS Filed Oct, 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Sept. 23, 1941. w. H. GRINDLE 2,256,591

SYSTEM FOR GENERATING GAS FROM LIQUEFIED GAS Filed Oct. 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor R M22222" H Grz'raafe Attorneys Patented Sept. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SYSTEM FOR GENERATING GAS FROM LIQUEFIED GAS William H. Grindlaflarlingen, Tex. Application October- 20, 1939, Serial No. 300,471

' (cl. sz-1) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a system for generating gas from liquefied gas, the principal object being to provide a plant improved to the extent of providing means for maintaining the pressure within the plant constantly regulated.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a gas generating plant in which liquid is used as the gas supplying agent and which liquid can be controlled as to temperature to determine the gasiflcation and contemporary pressure in an automatic manner.

Other objects andiadvantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader ofthe following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of the plant with a portion in section disclosing the improved features. I

Fig. 24s a fragmentary detailed sectional view through one form of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view through the pressure controlled valve.

Fig. 5 is'a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the electric heat unit.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a heated fluid type of heating means.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Fig. 1, that numeral I represents the usual tank having the end walls 8-! and this tank can be mounted in a suitable way on a support (n shown), or buried underground.

Rising from the tank I is the case 1 having the cover I and in this case are certain features of a conventional system for generating gas from liquefied gas such as the automatic filler valve,

-' the automatic vapor return valve, vapor trap, pressure regulator, etc., which features are not shown.. I

In carrying out the present invention, one or more domes I are secured upon the bottom of the tank I and have perforations -II around the lower portions thereof so that butane or other gas producing substance in the tank I can readily pass into the dome.

Extending downwardly through the top of the 'tank I and through the top of each dome I to terminate within the dome is a barrel II, the barrel ll being closed at its lower end as at I! and having a hermetically sealed box it, preferably of a suitable heat conducting material disposed in the lower portion thereof.

1 each barrel ll Just above the box i3 and through the partition II and the top of the box I I are disposed the vertically extending induction and educton pipes II and II respectively, which extend upwardly and through the cap ll at the upper end of the barrel.

The induction pipes ,iI are connected by the Jumper pipe II from which extends the pipe section II to one side of the pressure controlled valve II. The heated fluid supply pipe 2| extends to the other side of the valve II. This valve is of the diaphragm controlled type, the valve consisting of the shell having the upper section 22 and the lower section 23 between which is the diaphragm 24. A coupling unit II secures the lower portion of the valve 20 to the upper portion of the tank I and within the shell I and in communication with the interior of the tank I.

A heat insulating partition I is dispose din A needle valve II has its lower end secured as at 21 to the intermediate portion of the diaphragm 24 and this valve is slidable through the packing gland II, as adapted to be positioned away from the valve seat II under the influence of the spring III. Pressure or lack of pressure in the tank I regulates the position of the needle valve 26 in the amount of heated fluid which passes from the supply line 2| into the pipes II within the barrels ll. Thus the amount of heat to which the gas producing medium in the tank is subjected is dependent upon the amount of pressure within the tank. Thus as the gas is used the resulting decrease in pressure will cause more rapid gasiflcation within the tank.

Furthermore, the quality of the gas at all levels of the tank I is maintained by reason of the spewing tubes ll. These spewing tubes extend at their lower ends into the domes l and terminate at their upper ends just below the top of the tank. Thus the liquefied gas can rise from the heated points within the domes 9 upwardly through the tubes ll and out through the top of the tubes to mix with th ga at the upper portion of the tank I. Thus a circulation of the gases is maintained in the tank.

A modification of the heat producing means is shown in Fig. 5, wherein the tube Ila extends in the same manner through the top of the tank I and through the upper portion of the corresponding dome la.

A box Ila is provided in the lower portion of the barrel Ila. A tube lIa extends downwardly th cap .IIa at the upper end of the and passes downwardly through the heat insulating partition Ila and into the upper portion of thebox l3a and provided with a formation I ia supporting the electric heating element 32. Wires extend to this heating element 32 through the tube lie and from the cord 33 which extends from the top of the tube lia. Thus the gas producing medium can be heated electrically and through the agency pi e. rheostat or switch means controlled bya pressure responsive device (not shown).

In the usual way the gas producing medium in the tank is gasified by the usual water supply which is usually of a higher temperature than the boiling point of the gas producing medium which isusuallybutane.

Numeral 34 represents the water supply line to the water box 35 under one dome 9 and from this water box 35 extends the connector pipe 38 to the other water box 31. Numeral 33 denotes the exhaust line from the last box 31.

While theioregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood heating means in the dome in heat exchange relati'on therewith, and a liquefied gas spewing tube rising from the dome and terminating near the 7 top of the tank.

2. In a system for generating gas from liquefied gas, a tank, a perforated dome in the tank at the bottom thereof, a pressure controlled heated fluid heating means in the dome in heat exchange relation therewith and within the dome, and a liquefled gas spewing tube rising from the dome and terminating near the top 01 the tank.

WILLIAM H. GRINDLE. 

